Fuga sæculi. Or The holy hatred of the world Conteyning the liues of 17. holy confessours of Christ, selected out of sundry authors. Written in Italian by the R. Fa. Iohn-Peter Maffæus of the Society of Iesus. And translated into English by H.H.

S. Pachomius is visited by his Sister, who afterwards retires herselfe in•…•… Monastery. Chap. 7.

SAint Pachomius kept himselfe wholy from the conuersation & fa∣miliarity of his Parents, except when he had good hope to help them in Spirit. And therfore lastly being visited by a Sister of his, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sent her answere by the porter in thes words. Behold thou hast heat I am yet aliue: Go thy wayes then, and take it not ill, that I let thee not see me. I will promise thee, that if thou wilt happily imita•…•… this manner of life of myne, to obteyne together with me pardon & Mercy of our Lord, some fit dwelling or other shal be assigned thee in a conuenient place to liue in peace and silence, and by that occa∣sion peraduenture, it may happen the diuine Goodnes will o•…•… some other women likewise to do pennance with thee, since in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 there is no other consolation on earth, then for one to do well, & to serue God.

With this answere, the good woman was so compunct, as s•…•…e brake forth into plaints, and without more ado, determined to obey the counsayle of her Brother; who according to promise, caused cer tayne Lodgings to be built for her, not farre from the Monastery very apt for the end pretended: wherin she exercising her selfe, ac∣cording to the directions and orders of S. Pachomius, it was not long ere there came many other women likewise to her for the same pur∣pose, who increasing continually in number, she was elected to be the Mother & Abbesse of them. Whence he attended with more sollici∣tude then euer to instruct them well, and to conduct them safely to a good Port.

A certayne venerable and discreet Father, called Peter, had the superintendency ouer that Conuent, by commission of S. Pachomius, who at his tymes would visit, and exhort them to Perfection; and if it happened now and then to any Monke, hauing some kinswo∣men there to haue occasion to go to any such, he was accompanied thither, by some ancient, and graue person, or other, of approued vertue: nor could he speake with such a one, but in the presence of the Mother, and some of the principall of the Monastery. To giue, or take any thing with them, or els to eate, or drinke in that place, vnder any pretext whatsoeuer, was wholy prohibited. When any of the Sisters came to dye, the others very decently composing the

corps, would depose it with Psalmes in a determinate place, neere •…•…to the conuent, Whence after the Monkes wold conuey the same 〈◊〉〈◊〉 manner of procession, and bury it with deuout prayers & accu∣•…•…omed Canticles in the hill neer at hand. Through the fame of •…•…ese things, a certayne yong youth (among others) of some four∣•…•…ene yeares old, by name Theodore, a Christian of noble Bloud, be∣•…•…ag moued, gaue himselfe likewise to the discipline of S. Pachomius, •…•…y the occasion which I shall presently tell you.